Introduction

Ontario Support for the Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015

The Government of Ontario recognizes the importance of recreation, and is committed to
supporting universal access to physical activity and recreation programming. In February
2015, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport along with other Provincial and Territorial
Ministers responsible for Sport, Physical Activity, and Recreation (SPAR), formally endorsed
the Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015 (the Framework) as a guiding document
for the recreation sector in Canada. The Framework, jointly developed by Provincial and
Territorial Governments and key representatives from the Canadian recreation sector
(led by the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association), intends to guide and stimulate
coordinated practices in recreation that aim to improve the wellbeing of individuals,
communities and the built and natural environment.

Within the Government of Ontario, recreation impacts a variety of initiatives taking
place across many Ontario Ministries. Whether it’s planning related to health promotion,
promoting active transportation as an alternative commuting option, introducing
mandatory physical activity within our education system, or efforts to preserve parks and
natural areas, recreation plays a key role in delivering on the governments' mandate.
The Framework will be a useful resource as Ministries continue to renew and develop
policies, strategies and initiatives to reflect the current trends and issues affecting
recreation in Ontario.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, as the lead Ministry responsible for recreation
within the province of Ontario, undertook a process to identify government initiatives that
support the Framework and promote the benefits of recreation. Within this report a select
number that align with the goals and priorities outlined within the Framework have been
highlighted.

Goal 1: Active Living

Foster active living through physical recreation

"Participation in physical recreation is essential to building healthy, active
individuals from infancy to older adulthood. The Framework outlines a
solid evidence base to support the positive relationships between regular
physical activity and healthy aging. Engaging in physical activity with
others has been proven to help build social networks and promote
overall health."

Articulated below are Government of Ontario commitments that align with and support
Goal 1: Active Living.

Ontario’s Healthy Kids Strategy

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has launched the Healthy Kids Strategy, which
takes a whole-child approach to healthy child/youth growth and development. The
Strategy is aimed at meeting the government’s objective to reduce childhood obesity.
The Strategy supports the child’s right to play, and encourages full participation in age
appropriate recreation experiences, cultural life and artistic and leisure activities.

Achieving Excellence, the government's renewed vision for
education, has elevated promoting well-being to one of four
interconnected goals for the education system. This goal
emphasizes a focus on the whole child – their cognitive, emotional,
social, and physical development. Through our healthy schools
strategy, the Ministry of Education has collaborated with partners
across a variety of sectors to address multiple health-related
topics, including physical activity.

To date, the Ministry of Education has:

Updated the Foundations for a Healthy School resource that provides schools with
sample strategies and activities that can be used at the school level, in the classroom,
or with a group of students to address specific, curriculum-linked health-related
topics, including physical activity.

Implemented a Daily Physical Activity in Elementary Schools (P/PM 138) policy that
requires all students in grades 1-8 to take part in 20 minutes of moderate to vigorous
Daily Physical Activity during instructional time each day.

Awarded 70 one-time Physical Activity in Secondary Schools Grants of up to $20,000
for innovative projects that are intended to change the physical activity culture in
schools and increase physical activity.

Supported the development of a Healthy Schools Certification Program (led by
Ontario Physical and Health Education Association) aimed at supporting and increasing the capacity of schools to address
health-related topics including physical activity; and, Supported the development of
the “Heroes of Play” program to recognize teachers, principals, parents, and students
who encourage physical activity at school.

The Ministry of Education also provides support for safe participation in physical activity,
through:

Free-of-charge and barrier-free online physical activity safety guidelines for all
Ontarians (funded by Ministry of Education and administered by OPHEA).

School Board Policy on Concussion (P/PM158)– The policy outlines the ministry’s
expectations for school boards to develop and maintain a policy on concussion
awareness, prevention, identification, management and training, as well as, requiring
school boards to develop a return to learn and return to physical activity plan for
students with a diagnosed concussion.

Seniors Information and Active Living Fairs

The Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat provides funding to the Older Adult Centres’ Association
of Ontario to coordinate the delivery of over 60 Seniors Information and Active Living Fairs
across the province. The majority of these fairs are held in Elderly Persons Centres and help
promote healthy aging and active living among seniors in Ontario. Annual attendance at
these fairs has grown to approximately 15,000 seniors from across the province.

Goal 2: Inclusion and Access

Increase Inclusion and Access to Recreation for
Populations that Face Constraints to Participation

"Recreation has the ability to reach all citizens, and bring people together
in a non-threating, pleasurable atmosphere. Acknowledging and valuing
cultural, ethnic and racial diversity is vital to the prevention of prejudice
and discrimination. Recreation needs to take into account differences
such as variations in sex and gender, age and ability, sexual orientation,
education, persons with a disability, religious beliefs, socioeconomic
status and mental health concerns that affect wellbeing."

Articulated below are Government of Ontario commitments that align with and support
Goal 2: Inclusion and Access.

The Special Needs Strategy

The Ministries of Children and Youth Services, Community and Social Services, Health and
Long-Term Care and Education are collaborating on the implementation of the Special
Needs Strategy, and are working towards a vision of an Ontario where children and youth
with special needs get the timely and effective services they need to participate fully
at home, at school and in the community. As a first step, Coordinated Service Planning
implemented under the Special Needs Strategy is intended to help connect families of
children and youth with multiple and/or complex special needs with a range of services
that meet their needs. Service Planning Coordinators will work with families, educators
and community service providers from multiple sectors to coordinate service planning
and monitor progress. Where applicable, this may include service planning to enable
participation in recreational activities and, as such facilitate the participation in recreation
activities of children and youth with multiple and/or complex special needs.

Community Aboriginal Recreation Activator Program

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has implemented the Community Aboriginal
Recreation Activator (CARA) Program which is targeted to remote and isolated First Nation
communities. The purpose is to enhance the capacity of First Nations to meet their sport
and recreation needs, utilizing local resources and partnerships with other communitybased
organizations. Currently, CARA is running in 27 First Nation reserve communities.
CARA recognizes and enables the experience of Aboriginal peoples in recreation with a
holistic approach drawn from traditional values and culture.

Seniors Community Grant Program

The Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat’s Seniors Community Grant Program is helping more
seniors have a better quality of life by providing opportunities to be more physically and
socially active, volunteer, contribute to their communities and continue learning. This grant
makes $2 million available annually for projects across Ontario that will help more seniors
stay active, engaged, learning and contributing. Since 2014, when the program launched,
almost $730,000 has been granted to benefit approximately 30,000 seniors across 123
programs and activities related to fitness/physical activity and recreation.

Elderly Persons Centres (EPCs)

Through the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat, the government provides $11.5 million to
support 263 EPCs that offer seniors social, cultural and recreational programs and also
provide some health education and support services. The Ontario Seniors' Secretariat is
currently undertaking a program review of EPCs to better understand these centres and to
consider ways to optimize their roles, including their connection to other government and
community programs.

Goal 3: Connecting People and Nature

Help People Connect to Nature through Recreation

"The recreation field plays a vital role in connecting people with nature
through parks, trails, open space, gardens, land/streetscapes and water
based resources under its management or influence in community
planning and design. By enabling public access to nature it helps
to foster improved cognitive, mental and physical health, enhance
creativity and positive social behaviour, and support healthy active living
and biodiversity."

Articulated below are Government of Ontario commitments that align with and support
Goal 3: Connecting People and Nature.

Ontario Parks Learn to Camp Program

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Learn to Camp
Program at Ontario Parks was established in 2011 to help people
discover the joy of camping in a safe and fun environment. Ontario
Parks aims to help people acquire the skills and confidence they
need to connect with Ontario’s beautiful natural environments.
This program allows individuals to connect with nature and the
outdoors, as well as develop public awareness and education initiatives to increase
understanding of the importance of nature to one’s well-being.

Grants in Support of Tourism Regions

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport provides annual funding in support of Ontario’s
Tourism Regions. In 2010, the Ministry supported the establishment of 13 Tourism Regions
to further advance the competitiveness of Ontario’s tourism sector. Each region is led by
a Regional Tourism Organization (RTO). Several RTOs are working with local partners on
outdoor recreation related projects including undertaking research and planning, assisting
in trail, waterway and cycling signage projects and developing and marketing outdoor
recreation experiences, routes, itineraries and packages.

Lake Simcoe Protection Plan

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change funds various projects
that are involved in protecting the Lake Simcoe watershed. The Lake
Simcoe Protection Plan recognizes that protecting and restoring the
ecological health of the Lake Simcoe watershed is a shared responsibility
and a long-term undertaking. A key objective of the Plan is to improve
conditions for environmentally sustainable recreation activities and
promote those activities. The Lake Simcoe Protection Plan supports local
projects which promote environmentally sustainable recreation practices within the Lake
Simcoe watershed. Owners and operators of recreation facilities are encouraged to develop
and implement projects that promote best management practices to help recreationalists
protect the ecology and cultural heritage of the watershed. In this way the Plan helps
people connect to nature through recreation.

Ontario Trails Strategy

The Ontario Trails Strategy is a long-term plan to guide the development, management,
promotion and use of trails in Ontario. The vision of the Ontario Trails Strategy is a worldclass
system of diversified trails, planned and used in an environmentally responsible
manner that enhances the health and prosperity of all Ontarians. On June 1, 2016, the
government passed the Supporting Ontario's Trails Act, 2016 following with Royal Assent
on June 9, 2016. Upon proclamation, the act will help the trails community more effectively
develop, operate and promote trails by addressing longstanding land access, liability,
trespassing and protection of property challenges.

Goal 4: Supportive Environments

Ensure the Provisions of Supportive Physical and
Social Environments that Encourage Participation in Recreation
and Help to Build Strong, Caring Communities

"Supportive physical and social environments help facilitate community
and family connectedness, which involves taking care of each other,
our communities and our natural environment. Creating supportive
environments for recreation can ensure access to safe and effective
spaces and places that are required to deliver a comprehensive mix
of high quality recreational experiences. Creating supportive physical
environments include the provision of essential facilities, the effective use
of existing spaces and addressing the decline of Canada’s recreation and
sport infrastructure."

Articulated below are Government of Ontario commitments that align with and support
Goal 4: Supportive Environments.

Promoting Life Skills in Aboriginal Youth Program

Since 2010, Ontario has partnered with the international not-for-profit organization, Right
To Play in support of the Promoting Life Skills in Aboriginal Youth (PLAY) program. The PLAY
program provides Indigenous children and youth with the opportunity to participate in
consistent, weekly, year-round programming to improve their self-confidence and enhance
their capacity for leadership. Through youth-led events, inter-generational tournaments
and sport clinics, the PLAY program:

Promotes the health of children and youth so they can learn how to be and stay
healthy;

Helps Indigenous children and youth explore their identity and culture;

Builds children and youth's leadership capacity so they can succeed as leaders within
their communities; and

Supports the reclamation of Indigenous culture by helping First Nations children and
youth (re)connect with their culture and traditions.

Provincial Policy Statement

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is the ministry-lead for the Provincial Policy
Statement (PPS, 2014). The PPS 2014 provides policy direction on matters of provincial
interest related to land use planning and development, including policies promoting
supportive physical and social environments that encourage participation in recreation,
community hub development, and active, healthy communities. The policies are founded
on core principles supporting more sustainable patterns of development and resource use
and apply to all communities in the province.

The Greenbelt Plan and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan

In addition, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s
Greenbelt Plan and Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan
provide policy direction on matters of provincial interest related
to land use planning, that promote supportive physical and
social environments including parkland, open space and trails
in the Greenbelt. Throughout the Greenbelt and the Oak Ridges
Moraine, there is existing public parkland and open space, as
well as major trails such as the Bruce Trail, Trans Canada Trail, the
Niagara Greenway and the Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail. This system of parks and trails
provides significant economic benefits and opportunities to a multitude of uses
and activities.

Ontario Cycling Strategy

The Ministry of Transportation’s Ontario Cycling Strategy
(#CycleON) enables participation in physically active recreational
experiences throughout the life course by focusing specifically
on active transportation. As part of #CycleON Action Plan 1.0, the
Ministry of Transportation has established a $10 million Ontario
Municipal Cycling Infrastructure Program, to help municipalities
build new and improve existing cycling infrastructure and is also
working toward identifying a province-wide network of cycling
routes to promote recreational cycling and cycling tourism.
As well, the Cycling Strategy works towards the development and implementation of
targeted education campaigns that increase knowledge about how active transportation
contributes to enjoyment and quality of life and helps people acquire the skills and
attitudes they need to plan for making recreation a part of their lives. Through the Cycling
Training Fund, another initiative of the first #CycleON Action Plan, the ministry is allocating
$380,000 in financial assistance in 2015 and 2016 to help partners develop, enhance and
deliver cycling skills training programs. The programs funded are building skills to promote
safe and enjoyable cycling and encouraging healthier, more physically active lifestyles
through cycling.

Community Use of Schools Program

The Ministry of Education's Community Use of Schools
program provides funding to all school boards so they can
make school space more affordable for use after school hours.
Both indoor and outdoor school space is available to not-forprofit
community groups at reduced rates, outside of regular
school hours. It supports a positive climate, by supporting
and promoting healthy, active lifestyles for community
youth. In addition, through its Priority Schools Initiative, Community Use of Schools helps
a set of schools provide not-for-profit groups free after-hours access to school space
in communities that need it most. Community Use of Schools supports healthy, active
lifestyles, and student achievement and well-being by enabling not-for-profit groups to
offer affordable activities to their communities.

Goal 5: Recreation Capacity

Ensure the Continued Growth and Sustainability
of the Recreation Field

"The recreation field needs to recruit and inspire new leaders who can
address emerging trends and have knowledge in a variety of areas, such
as cultural diversity, emerging technologies, urban planning, active
transportation and nature conservation. Recreation provides many
young people with opportunities for employment and for leadership
and career development. To be relevant and outcome-driven, leaders in
recreation need timely access to emerging technologies as well as current
evidence and information."

Articulated below are Government of Ontario commitments that align with and support
Goal 5: Recreation Capacity.

Joint Training Sessions

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services' (MCYS) Youth Justice Services Division provides
and supports recreational activities dedicated towards preventing youth from coming into
conflict with the law. For example, in May 2015, Probation Officers from MCYS, Remote
Community Intervention Workers, Community Mentors and staff from Right to Play took
part in joint training sessions to build capacity for two streams of recreational activities. The
first stream of training, provided in partnership with the Jay’s Care Foundation, taught staff
how to organize and manage a baseball league for youth in 11 First Nation communities
in Grand Council Treaty #3. The second stream of training, provided in partnership with
Painted Turtle Arts Camp, focused on how to organize summer camp programs that
include various sport activities and arts and crafts for youth. These training sessions
facilitated the enhancement of community-based leadership in recreation.

Physical Activity Resource Centre

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care funds the Physical Activity Resource Centre
(PARC) to provide training, resources and supports to community agencies and public
health units to implement best practice programs and policies for physical activity.
Some of the key deliverables include knowledge exchange and professional learning,
consultation and referrals, networking and partnership development, planning,
evaluation and project management. PARC works to develop and implement high-quality
training and competency-based capacity development programs for organizations and
individuals working in recreation, particularly in under-resourced rural and remote areas.
They also contribute to creating supportive social environments in the settings where
people live, learn, work and play. In addition, the Physical Activity Resource Centre is
coordinating a group of health promotion resource centres to support the Healthy Kids
Community Challenge.

Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund

The Ontario Sport and Recreation Communities Fund (OSRCF) was established
to achieve a vision of getting and keeping Ontarians active in community sport,
recreation and physical activity through the support of short-term projects
that deliver high-quality and meaningful experiences to individuals at every
phase of life. The OSRCF is targeted at populations whom lack equitable access
to participate and/or have been historically less physically active. The OSRCF
program includes a focus on strengthening the sport and recreation sector by building
capacity. The fund has provided support to organizations in areas such as coaching, youth
development and volunteer development, in order to ensure enhanced service and quality
programming is available throughout the province.

Game ON: The Ontario Government's Sport Plan

Under the development priority, the plan supports provincial sport organizations (PSOs) and
multi-sport organizations (MSOs) in their efforts to recruit and train coaches and volunteers.
These efforts will help inspire new leaders and will provide many young people with
opportunities for employment and for leadership and career development.

Conclusion

Ontario Support for the
Framework for Recreation in Canada 2015

The Government of Ontario is committed to providing valued recreational programs and
services to all Ontarians. The ability of recreation to provide solutions to many modern day
challenges has provided the evidence behind many government investments, many of
which can be seen within this report. These challenges include the:

rising rates of obesity and sedentary living;

decreased opportunities to connect with nature;

inequities within society that have limited access to recreational programming and
opportunities.

Moving forward, the Government of Ontario will continue efforts to implement the
Framework, utilizing the document as a resource to guide decision making and planning.
Working collaboratively with recreation stakeholders is an important focus for the Ministry
of Tourism, Culture and Sport, ensuring valued and relevant recreation opportunities
that are accessible across the province. While this report provides a snapshot of current
investments in recreation and alignment efforts with the newly endorsed Framework for
Recreation in Canada 2015, the benefits of recreation will continue to inform and impact
emerging initiatives across many areas of government in the future.